FEB.] THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 



or a fortnight at least before you want it, that it may be preserved 

 perfectly dry for earthing the bed. 



Then, when the bed is in order, lay about half a bushel, or rather 

 more, of earth, under the middle of each light, rising each parcel of 

 earth in a round hillock about ten inches high ; let the spaces 

 between the hills, and quite to the sides of the frame, be covered 

 with the same sort of earth, only two or three inches thick at this 

 time, while the bed is in strong heat, for fear of burning, as explained 

 below ; but which, when the heat is become moderate, is by degrees 

 to be augmented, till raised as high as the top of the hills, as here- 

 after directed. 



The reason for laying the earth in little hills, and not earthing the 

 bed fully at once, is by way of precaution, in case of violent after- 

 heat, in which case it will more readily pass off in steam, between 

 the hills ; and likewise, because we may venture to use the bed 

 some days sooner than if it was earthed all over at once to the full 

 thickness ; for, if the bed should burn after the plants are in, you 

 can more readily prevent the earth, and also the roots of the plants 

 from being burnt thereby, by drawing the earth away from round 

 the bottom of the hills, if it burns, and supplying the places with 

 more fresh mould. 



As soon as the bed is earthed as above, put on the glasses ; and by 

 the next day, the hillocks of earth will be warm ; if they are, level 

 the top of each a little, so that they may be about eight or nine 

 inches deep ; then proceed to put in the plants, the cucumbers and 

 melons separately, in different hot-beds, or distinct frames, Sec. 



Previous to this, observe, that as having last month directed the 

 plants to be pricked into small pots, three in each separately ; and 

 as they are now to be turned out of these pots with the balls of earth 

 entire, and planted, one pot of plants in each of the above hills, 

 I would intimate, in this final transplanting, that two of the 

 best cucumber plants, and only one melon, would be sufficient to 

 remain, cutting the others away as soon after planting as you are 

 able to distinguish which are most likely to do well ; however, it is 

 advisable, previously to transplanting, that, in order to have the 

 whole ball of earth adhere closely about the roots, to give the pots 

 some water the day before ; and the method of planting is this : 

 having some pots of the strongest plants ready, place your hand on 

 the surface of the pot, taking the stems of the plants carefully be- 

 tween your fingers ; then turn the mouth of the pot downwards, 

 and strike the edge gently on the frame ; the plants, with the ball 

 of earth to their roots, will come out entire ; then making a hole 

 in the middle of each hill of earth, place one pot of plants, with the 

 ball entire, in each hole, closing the earth well round it, and 

 about an inch over the top, bringing the earth close round the stems 

 of the plants ; this done, shut down all the lights close for the pre- 

 sent, till the steam rises again strong ; then they must be tilted a 

 little behind, in proportion, to give it vent. 



The plants being ridged out finally into the beds where they are 

 to remain for fruiting, you must be careful to give them fresh air 

 every day, by raking- the glasses a little for its acftnission, and for 



